Fast Five (aka Fast and the Furious 5 (2011)

Director: Justin Lin

Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson

Dominic Toretto and his crew of street racers plan a massive heist to buy their freedom while in the sights of a powerful Brazilian drug lord and a dangerous federal agent.

‘Fast Five’ follows directly on ‘Fast and the Furious 4’, and this time it’s war!

Justin Lin is once again back as director. Most of the regular cast is back. Enter Dwayne Johnson, as Hobbs. Gal Gadot – who made her appearance in ‘Fast & Furious’ – is back as well; this time as part of Dom’s team. Vince is also back, after a 3-film absence. Wow, the male actors were like a muscle exhibition!

The opening bus crash scene sent warning signs to my brain, telling me the action was going to be overdone and unrealistic. Fortunately, this was not the case. Instead, the action sequences were very well choreographed and incredible. The vault scene, especially, is nothing short of spectacular. It was awesome seeing the vault causing so much chaos and mayhem. Unlike anything I’ve ever seen! The action in general – even the fighting scenes – were fast-paced and no holds barred.

The amazing cars of the previous films are no longer the main attraction. The car races are merely here to make up time and doesn’t really play a role anymore. ‘Fast Five’ is a heist film, and more hi-tech than its predecessors. ‘Fast Five’ is one of the best entries in the series.

‘Fast Five’ received several award nominations, deservedly winning quite a few in the stunt department. The film earned an incredible $626 million on a $125 million budget.

Would I watch it again? Hell, yeah!